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Posted by: Ben Higgins Apr 27 2012, 06:21 PM

Greetings Disciples !

As I mentioned http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=44102, the Intermediate and Advanced Bushido threads will now come together as the Warrior thread ! As the last Intermediate Task was number 13, we will be calling this Warrior Bushido Task 14 to keep things even with the Apprentice thread. Hopefully this will all make sense

Task 14: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The-Voice-Of-Your-Guitar/

You may think, 'What ? Level 3 ? But the Apprentice thread are doing a level 4...'

Well, the individual techniques that are found in Cosmin's lesson may be around a level 3 but to get the level of expression, control and articulation he does, you're going to have to dig into masterful levels of feeling.

There's so many subtle nuances in the micro bends, the bends that are sometimes delayed.. the slides.. the mark of an experienced player is whether they can bring out these elements so be assured that is a worthy challenge for you guitar warriors.

Also, as I said in the Apprentice thread, it's the last Task for April and I want to round off the month by giving you a nice piece of music to play as you've concentrating on specific areas of technique up until this point. This is a chance to put lots of things into practice - Enjoy !

Deadline is next Friday 4th May

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 27 2012, 08:26 PM

Bushido Temple Warriors!

I have come to watch your training under Sensei Ben's roof!

Be as graceful as the leaf touching the water, as gentle as a pillow touching a tired face and as furious as the summer storm winds cracking through the old trees in the wood!

Cosmin

Posted by: gregc1 Apr 29 2012, 02:15 AM

Hey Ben (and Cosmin)! Getting in early this week. This was actually pretty tricky to keep the accuracy with all of the bends. I know I missed my fair share. I wanted to go ahead and post anyway so I can go back and do the last task as well without falling behind again. Look forward to your feedback here and I'll post to the REC as well.

Talk to you soon!

Posted by: maharzan Apr 29 2012, 02:45 AM

wow, awesome take greg..

Posted by: gregc1 Apr 29 2012, 03:08 AM

Thanks maharzan. I appreciate it.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Apr 29 2012, 09:07 AM

Oh my... Greg, what an outstanding performance, really.. what can I say ???? Just beautiful.. wait until Cosmin sees it !

What do you do for tone, I really like it. Is it a POD or software ?

My only suggestions would be to make more of the bends have a gradual let down, just like you do at 0:35.. it's really great and it suggests a sustained outpouring of emotion which is perfect for ballads. There's nothing wrong with your bending approach at all but I think there are more bends which sound too direct. 0:44 is an example of what I mean. There's nothing actually wrong with that, I'd just mix up the two approaches a bit more so you've got a nice balance between the direct bends and the gradual bends. At the moment you've got like a 90/10 mix and I'd just sub more of the direct bends for more of the slow ones, that's all but it's just taste.

And yeah, post in the REC, I already know what I'm scoring it...

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 10:05 AM

I totally agree with Ben here subtleties are desirable in this piece, although your bends are technically very correct! Go with the flow my friend! An congratulations!

Posted by: gregc1 Apr 29 2012, 03:12 PM

Ben, thank you for the kind words. I totally get what you're saying about the gradual bends. I definitely have a tendency to bend faster than I should for a more emotional piece like this, even almost pre-bending in some cases. I'll work to smooth out my playing a little more and try to get that true "crying" effect.

For my tone, I just use Guitar Rig 3 (favorite amp is the High White). I've got 3 patches that I pretty much stick with all of the time. Two for the heavier distorted playing and one for the clean - slightly dirty playing.

Have a good one!

Thanks Cosmin. It seems like an easy lesson watching you play it but this song is jam packed with subtlety. I had a good time learning this and look forward to learning more of your lessons!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 05:14 PM

Hey mate thanks a lot! I will prepare one in the same manner soon, very soon

Posted by: dark dude Apr 29 2012, 11:24 PM

Impressive skills, Greg - bravo!

Posted by: SirJamsalot Apr 30 2012, 06:51 PM

Nice job! I love how your bends all made it to the right note! Great feel.
Now, put that guitar strap on, stand up, and let's see it in the spot light!

Groovin!

Posted by: gregc1 May 2 2012, 02:54 PM

Thanks dark dude and SirJamsalot! I appreciate the comments.

Jams, haha yeah, my recording set up is not the best. I do need to work on getting it more front and center.

Posted by: JaxN4 May 3 2012, 08:01 AM

Dang! it's been a while.... since I recorded anything.... New Years Day actually. I got lost doing exercises and drills for all this time...

Here is my take

Hope it does this great lesson some justice

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 3 2012, 08:19 AM

Hey Jordan! Congratulations man! Well done! The only thing which you could improve in my opinion - this is Ben's territory so, I'll let him develop this - would be the duration of some notes, or better said the way you flow through the notes - don't separate them that much the melody has to flow. These are super smooth details, but all in all you have done justice! Hope Ben won't mind me commenting here

Posted by: JaxN4 May 3 2012, 08:26 AM

Hey C-Man! Thanks for the feedback mate.

I know exactly what you mean about more connection (flow) with the melody.
If I had more time I would have done a better job I think, a few more days working on it to 'smooth' it out.... But this is Ben's Temple of Guitar Warrior's, he actually hits me if I don't make the dealine... Nipple Cripple's hurt ya know

Cheers

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 3 2012, 10:16 AM

This is fantastic Jordan. For some reason I didn't get an email notification of this so I noticed it in the REC forum first so my comments about it can be found there !! You're safe, of course.. no disciplinary actions will be taken against you this week !



Of course I don't mind, C-maestro !

Also, Warriors, please notice that there's been an exciting new addition to Guitar Bushido... you can check it out here

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=44186

Posted by: JaxN4 May 3 2012, 11:02 AM

Usually I would reply in a PM but if this can help someone else then that the point.

Your comments were: "Just perfect ! J-Master you're becoming a Rock Ballad Monster !

Watch out ladies, he's armed with a guitar and has romance on his mind !!!

The feel, timing, vibrato and bending were all brilliant - really tasteful. The only suggestion I'd make would be to make some your bends return in a gradual way instead a very meticulous step down approach. This gives a more emotive, heart wrenching type of effect. However, since this is just a matter of personal taste, it doesn't affect that big fat 10 I've just given you"

Very funny btw, i actually LOL'd while reading that, and i hate using those txt abbreviations....

It's interesting you mention the point about returning the bends in a gradual and smooth way... I avtually didn't even think about this aspect. My notes from yesterday's practice session when playing this piece was: "Bend up slowly.... and hang there, then release, also watch your timing"..... If i had returned the bends in a more tastefull fashion it would have sounded alot better.
Very good feedback mate, much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 3 2012, 12:17 PM

Yeah, it's just another way of approaching the bends. There was nothing wrong with what you actually played, those bends were spot on, this is just one more possibility to add to it

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 4 2012, 08:22 AM

How are the rest of you Homies doing ? I know it's disappointing that you didn't land the Donut this time but just think, next time - it could be you !

Posted by: maharzan May 4 2012, 09:17 AM

I am practising this one. No power since last night, I was planning to record today. Lets see if I can do it tonight.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 4 2012, 09:38 AM

That's cool.. I look forward to your take as always

Posted by: maharzan May 7 2012, 02:11 PM

Ho Master!

Sorry for late submission, you know all the excuses.

So, just sat down today to record this. I hate bends.



Hope I pass, didn't really had time to practice this.

Thanks,
Chandra

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 7 2012, 06:54 PM

Heeeey, there's nothing wrong with this Chandra.. it's very good !

Are you sure ? It sounds like you and bends get on very well !

Over all I think you're great at stuff like this. You cut some of the main melody notes off a bit shorter than I would have done but...

..as Cosmin said in the lesson, it's all about interpretation

Posted by: maharzan May 7 2012, 08:31 PM

Thanks Ben. I am just so afraid if the pitch goes out of tune when bending.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 8 2012, 09:20 AM

Don't fear it, just correct it if it happens. I didn't realise you didn't have much confidence with bending because you always play with such quality. It goes to show the difference between what we think of ourselves and what other people hear. We're always our worst critic

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 8 2012, 03:07 PM

Hey Chandra! Ben is right! It's just a matter of self confidence when you will start getting into your bends, you'll become more and more confident and ballsy doing it! Look at Zakk Wylde for instance he is bending like he is dragging a tiger's tail not a string! I am sure he loves bends so much that he just wants to get the best out of each little string twister!

Try it man



Csomin

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 8 2012, 03:20 PM

That's the best description of a string bend I've ever heard !

Posted by: maharzan May 9 2012, 06:08 PM

will do. Thanks Cosmin for your feedback. I am definitely learning more by the day.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 10 2012, 08:03 AM

@Ben - thank you mate I just knew you would like it

@Chandra - glad to help my friend! Let me know if there's anything you need me to assist with, k?